Resources, Advice and Stories from Bone Anchored Hearing System Users

Monthly Archives: June 2017

Since receiving my Ponto 3 SuperPower, walking through life is far more different than I ever could have imagined. It’s often overwhelming to think about all of the different sounds that I can now interpret with ease because of my device.

Below are four of the most noticeable differences in sound that I’ve observed through wearing my Ponto 3 SuperPower.

My own voice:

It may seem silly, but anyone who has worn a Ponto Bone Anchored Hearing System will tell you that the moment they snapped it on, the way they heard their own voices was drastically different. For some, it’s not always the most pleasant surprise. I’ve never been a huge fan of how I sound in recordings that are played back to me, and this sort of sound is how I would describe my voice when listening to it with my Ponto on. Though it may seem jarring at first, it’s really amazing to understand finally how the rest of the world hears you when you speak!

Parts of songs that went unnoticed:

I am a member of a chapel choir at my college, and I tend to sit towards the back of the group with the rest of the men. I’ve always known that our group contained several instrumentalists, but I was never able to fully hear them until now! I have also noticed that I am able to pick apart different aspects of music that I was not able to before. I don’t believe that this is because of an increase in volume, but rather because of an increase in clarity.

Voices in a conference setting:

At school, more often than not, I find myself communicating with me peers in a group setting – a cafeteria, a bustling classroom, a loud dormitory. Before my Ponto, I always had difficulty differentiating voices that were happening all at once. My Ponto helps me not only to separate those voices, but also makes them clearer and more easily understood.

Sounds in nature:

The first time I went on a hike with my Ponto, I was in tears. Turns out, nature is noisy! I have always loved the great outdoors, but the vibrant and amazing sounds were lost to me. With nature, and with everything else, I’ve come to realize that there is so much happening around me that I didn’t know about before I snapped on my Ponto 3 Superpower.

Interested in learning more about our newest Ponto – the Ponto 3 SuperPower? Click the button below to be connected to a representative from our team.

About the author – Kevin Hotaling

After attending Oticon Medical’s patient advocacy event in 2016, I knew I wanted to take action on my advocacy in a new way. I am in awe of the work that Oticon Medical does, and even more so excited by the ways in which the work is done. I’ve always been very adept in social networking and media and knew I wanted to use my skill set in a professional, progressive and communal environment.

We’re thrilled to share an inspiring dance video and shine a light on the impact the Ponto softband has had on one dancer in particular.

Five-year-old Emma Bowie was born with left ear Microtia. Three years ago, after discussing hearing care options with her audiologist she was fitted with a Ponto Plus on a softband. Her mother, Kathy Bowie, says that she had been behind in speech development, but now has made big improvements.

“We noticed a big difference in her speech when she got her Ponto. She was trying to say more words. Just within the last year it has all come together for her and her speech has blossomed.” – Kathy Bowie

One of the biggest improvements in hearing for Emma happens not only at home, but in the dance studio. She is a part of the ‘A Chance to Dance’ program at Miss Donna’s School of Dancing in North Carolina, where children with disabilities can learn an array of dance from lyrical, to jazz, to tap.

Emma, who has always loved to dance, will be performing her first solo next season and always wears her Ponto bone anchored hearing system while she’s on stage.

“They make me hear better, and I go to school and I can learn and I can hear my teachers.” – Emma Bowie

‘A Chance to Dance’ and Emma were featured on TODAY in a heartwarming story about the studio in the video below.

If you’d like to learn more about how the Ponto can provide early support for children and adults with hearing loss, click here and we’ll help you find an Audiologist in your area.